Battle of the Camping Cots: Helinox Cot One Convertible vs NatureHike ArmyWild Camping Cot
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 21 ก.ค. 2024
- Chapters:
Intro: (0:00)
Packaging & Weight: (0:42
Contents of Each Package: (2:24)
Racheting Mechanisms: (4:48)
Helinox Cot Assembly: (5:55)
Low Mode: (8:12)
High Mode: (9:15)
NatureHike Cot Assembly: (10:10)
Side by Side Comparison in High Mode: (11:04)
Cot Discussion: (12:38)
Side by Side Comparison in Low Mode: (15:37)
Reasons I Bought Each Brand: (16:07)
Disassembly Note, Cam Buttons: (18:29)
Specs: (18:58)
Summary & Signoff (19:11)
We’re comparing camping cots from two different companies and seeing how they are similar and where they differ. I picked up a couple of Helinox Cot One Convertible cots a few years ago for packing in my winter setup. In the past year or so, I’ve gotten wind of other brands making inroads to create knockoffs of the Helinox products, and this cot was no exception.
The form and fit of these two cots are very similar in most every detail. There are a few differences in terms of fit and finish where the Helinox shines, but at more than twice the price, do those minor differences make a big difference?
Usage:
The low height mode is suitable for use in a tent or on solid ground. The extended height mode is suitable for use on grass, muddy or damp ground, or for storing items underneath the cot at night.
Assembly and Takedown:
These two are almost identical, with the exception of the pushbutton/lever locking mechanisms on the swing arms. The Helinox one is built better, but works stickier than the Naturehike during disassembly.
The leg extensions on the Helinox lock in better and replacement leg extensions can be purchased in packs of 12 or 16. The support rods on the Helinox are slightly thicker and have a small washer type spacer in the middle section. Other than that, these two cots are pretty much identical enough to be interchangeable. The extension legs actually fit and lock into place on both brands interchangeably.
Pricing and Politics:
Helinox is a well established western brand who leads in designs and product development. Their products are well built but they come with a hefty price tag. Naturehike is a Chinese owned company established around 2010 and it offers more affordable gear and sometimes copies designs from other manufacturers and sells them at a cheaper price. The price difference between these two are substantial though. You could buy three NatureHike cots with the extension legs included for the price of one Helinox Cot One Convertible plus the additional purchase of the leg extension kit. Until recently, Helinox was the only game in town on this type of cot design. Now, the knockoffs are abound.
Specs:
Naturehike ArmyWild Camping Cot with Leg Extenders:
Supports up to 330 lbs
Cot surface: 74.8 inches x 25.6 inches
Heights: 6.7 inches (without legs); 15 inches (with extension legs)
Cot weight: approx 5 lbs / 2.3kg
Frame material: aircraft grade 7075 aluminum
Features quick lock mechanism for easier assembly.
Cot material: tear resistant 600D Oxford fabric
Colors: black or khaki
Packed size: 20.5 inches x 7.5 inches
Kit includes 12 extension legs.
List Price: $149. Sells for $119 on Amazon
Helinox Cot One Convertible
Supports up to 320 lbs (145 kg)
Cot surface: 74.5 inches x 26.5 inches (190cm x 68cm)
Heights: 6.5 inches (without legs), 15 inches (with optional extension leg kit)
Cot weight: 4 lbs, 14 oz (2.22kg). Packaged weight: 5 lbs, 1oz (2.31kg)
Frame material: aircraft grade aluminum alloy
Features quick lock mechanism for easier assembly.
Cot material: tear resistant 300D polyester
Colors: black, coyote tan, blue bandana, rainbow bandana, multi block
Packed size: 21.5 inches
List price: $349. Sells for $299 during sales at CampSaver.com and Backcountry.com
Optional Helinox Cot Leg Conversion Kit - 12 piece
List price: $99. Sells for $89 during sales at CampSaver.com and Backcountry.com
LInks:
Helinox Cot One Convertible: helinox.com/products/cot-one-...
Leg Extension Kit: helinox.com/products/cot-leg-...
NatureHike Army Wild Cot: www.amazon.com/dp/B087PTSZPF/...
Summary:
Overall, these are both decent cots. The legs may stay on a little better with the Helinox, judging from a couple of user reviews on Amazon for the Naturehike ArmyWild cot.
If you have money to burn or want to support American owned businesses and support innovation, go with the Helinox. If your wages don’t afford you the luxury of being choosey, go with the NatureHike. Either one will serve you well.
If you like what you’ve seen, feel free to like, comment, and subscribe as it helps the channel grow. Everything reviewed was purchased on my own nickel and I don’t do company affiliations. Feel free to hit that notification bell to be notified of new content when it becomes available. As always, thanks for watching. :)
this vid was of great help, thanks a lot Mikey!
So about a year ago I bought the OneTigres cot with extension legs for under $150 bucks. Look identical to the Helinox except it has 4 sets of legs instead of 3 so it’s extra sturdy but weigh more about 8lbs. For the price it was a steal but its no longer available.. Fits my 30x78 Q-core pad perfectly.
Hey.. if you slide the side poles down the inside track of the cover there is extra fabric so the poles don’t push out of the crossbrace slots, the pole will push all the way through, make setup a little easier..
Recently bought the Helinox Cot Max. Also have the Teton Sports Universal. The Teton is great but a bit heavy. The Helinox is narrower but is very comfortable. And very well made. Thanks for this comparison. Always wondering about how other options stack up.
It's always good to have options. I started with a Cabelas big & wide cot years ago but it was like a tinker toy to assemble so I sold it off. I have a set of 4 accordion style folding cots for tornado drills in the basement but they weigh about 35lbs each. Easy to setup and take down but not light. The cam-o-cot bunkbed cots I purchased years ago for car camping are nice but heavy as h3ll.
As i started lightening my gear 5+ yrs ago, I started off with the helinox cot lite which is ridiculously light at about 2 lbs but they're skinny and low to the ground. They work OK in place of a pad in the summer but I always wanted a backpackable cot I could sit on like a normal cot for hot tenting and trekking into 3 sided shelters at a park south of here, so that lead me to the Cot One Convertible. That's probably my favorite camping cot but it's not cheap. The moths in my wallet screamed at me when I bought 2 of those. With my kids having sleepovers and such, the accordion ones still work but the idea of the cheaper Helinox clone from Naturehike checked off the boxes for them to use more for camp, sleepovers, and trips as they get closer to college age in a few years. And they help me have a set of 4 cots for family trips too that don't weigh a ton. I figured I wouldn't feel as guilty or upset if they dorked up a $100 cot vs a $300 one.
Anywho... I'm rambling. Lol
Thank you for watching. 😀
Just saw this video & you got it backwards the naturehike came out before the helinox
I bought one this week on Amazon. Same thing $69. or $79. with a built in air mattress. I like it.
Thanks!..
I just bought the Naturehike on Amazon.
I have 4 helinox chairs and the hardtop table in large. I used this nature hike cot this past weekend and it is absolutely solid. The quality is slightly less based on comparing them to my helinox chairs. And I mean comparing the poles. Those DAC poles helinox uses are top notch. But the nature hike poles are great also, it definitely does not feel cheap. I give the nature hike cot an A+. I paired it with a twin lost horizon bed and it fit perfectly
Great to hear.
I've got 4 of the Helinox Zero legged chairs and two of the square based variants, plus the soft top and hardtop tables. They're compact and handy. Half the weight of the competition but whew, you pay for it. ;)
Thanks for watching.
The D rings are probably to allow you to clip in a pad or something to prevent it from slipping and sliding around while sleeping. Or you can even do the same with a quilt or bag...
I was thinking maybe for adding a storage caddy on the side. I had some Cam-o-cot's that had add-on side bags for storing knick knacks. Dunno...
Thanks for watching. :)
Great video and good comparison of each cot. Thanks!
Thank you! Have you experience with tent for cot?
How so? 🤔
I've used the Helinox cot both with and without the extension legs in a floorless tipi, in the bed of my truck, and in a 10x9ft 6-man dome tent. I've owned the Helinox cots for several years while the Naturehike cots are newer to me. I've mainly tried them indoors for the moment as I haven't done much big tent car camping this year. As for Naturehike as a brand, I do own a Hiby3 tent from them. That's a smaller tent so no cots have graced that shelter.
Hope that answers your question. 🙏
Thanks for watching. 😉
Thank you for this video. But why if you make this all why not mentioning the differences more detailed? The diameter of the frame for example. How much are both, they are different as you mentioned: so tell us please. 🙂
The prices and specs are noted in the Specs section text for each one at 18:58. The Helinox is roughly 3x the price of the Naturehike.
As for frame diameter, the difference is minimal as the weight ratings are similar. If I get time, I could check the exterior diameter and interior thickness with a vernier caliper.
Thanks for watching.
^^ do the legs of the nature hike fit the Helicon?
ah, you answered it in the video. Thnx, good to know.
Helinox is not a Western brand, they are a South Korean brand. If you want something American, look at the Klymit Cedar Mesa Cot. Not for backpacking though, I reckon.
Kinda like Hillsound, another South Korean company.
There is definitely more slack in the NatureHike. Helinox looks better made.
I like the way the legs fit on the Helinox. But whew...there is a cost difference. For me, the Helinox is my go-to. For my lightweight kiddos, a cheaper alternative is designed well enough within the margins of their body weight, and easier on the wallet if they lose or damage the NatureHike at camp or a friend's house. Thanks for watching. :)
usually... you get what you pay for...
I try to buy the American or cottage brand items when I can as it supports living wages, local jobs, and innovation in the industry. But 300 for a Helinox cot...whew...it adds up. Luckily, I was blessed to afford it, but most folks can't.
Sometimes life throws an acceptable curve ball that's just "good enough". The NatureHike cot is one of those.
Thanks for watching. :)
"Major difference..." Today boys and girls we learn about D.A.C. aluminum alloys and high-strength nylon '66' molded fittings ... and what do you think could go wrong when the Chinese try to anodize aluminum? Anyone want to embrace that? How about embracing the failure of a tube of aluminum when it supports your entire body weight ... and develops a stress fracture? Next week we will learn about the word 'proprietary' ... Now back to our regularly-scheduled programming, a mini-series on nation building, episode 4, "What happens to your country when you buy Chinese junk."
I try to buy from US cottage vendors whenever possible (hot tents, hammocks, backpacks, and niche gear). For some viewers, a cheaper alternative may be "good enough" for their needs and easier on their budgets. I definitely didn't want to loan a $300-$400 cot to my kiddos to use, so a cheaper option was to be explored. For my body weight, a Helinox is better trusted, but for a lightweight kiddo, a knockoff aluminum pole of sufficient diameter and thickness should pass the static forces their 90 lb bodies will stress on the metallurgy.
Granted, a read of the book "The Wealth of Nations" would show that it's wiser to buy domestically or to exchange economically with fair trading partners with equal amounts of trade between two nations. One sided transfers result in the transfer of wealth in the long run.
All politics aside, thank you for watching and commenting. ;)